On maps still visible on the Africa Mercy, Milan points the route that the ferry Dronning Ingrid made to bring him to his grand-mother many years ago.

May 31, 1997 was the last operational day for the ferry Dronning Ingrid. That same year, a tunnel built under the sea made ferries in Danemark obsolete. That was a very sad day for 11-year-old Milan Falsing…

Trips on the ferry to visit his grand-mother were a fond memory and Milan was broken-hearted. His concerned mother contacted the ferry owners to ask if her children could make a farewell visit to the ferry. Amazingly the company’s vice president granted the request and even toured the ship with them. “That’s when I decided to become a seafarer,” he said. “I just wanted to go out to sea.”

After maritime school, Milan went to Marstal Maritime Academy to become an officer. All the while, he kept his interest in the Dronning Ingrid, which had joined Mercy Ships’ fleet in 1999, alive.

After seven years, he saw the ferry again, in the United Kingdom. Totally renovated, she had in the meantime become the Africa Mercy, a state-of-the-art hospital ship. “There she was! A new ship, all white!”

When Milan received his Officer’s degree, he applied to serve with Mercy Ships as Second Officer, allowing him to set foot again on the ferry that had brought him so many times to his grand-mother! Milan’s time on board the Africa Mercy was an incredible experience. “I don’t want to go home, but I have to,” he admitted. “But I would love to come back again!”